Inbred corn line PHHV4

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn line, designated PHHV4. This invention thus relates to the plants and seeds of inbred corn line PHHV4 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHHV4 with itself or with another corn plant. This invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHHV4 with another corn line or plant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of corn breeding, specifically relating to an inbred corn line designated PHHV4.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety or hybrid various desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may include resistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought, reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomic quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant characteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growth rate, maturity, and plant and fruit height, is important.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of the plant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between two homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not be uniform.

Corn plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Corn has separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on the tassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in corn when wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.

The development of corn hybrids requires the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines from breeding populations. Breeding programs combine the genetic backgrounds from two or more inbred lines or various other broad-based sources into breeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which of those have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two geno-types, each of which may have one or more desirable characteristics that is lacking in the other or which complement the other. If the two original parents do not provide all of the desired characteristics, other sources can be included in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superior plants are selfed and selected in successive generations. In the succeeding generations the heterozygous condition gives way to homogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination and selection. Typically in the pedigree method of breeding five or more generations of selfing and selection is practiced: F₁ →F₂ ; F₂ →F₃ ; F₃ →F₄ ; F₄ →F₅, etc.

Backcrossing can be used to improve an inbred line. Backcrossing transfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or source to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished for example by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to a donor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate gene(s) for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross is then mated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from the non-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations with selection for the desired trait, the progeny will be heterozygous for loci controlling the characteristic being transferred, but will be like the superior parent for most or almost all other genes. The last backcross generation would be selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) being transferred.

A single cross hybrid corn variety is the cross of two inbred lines, each of which has a genotype which complements the genotype of the other. The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F₁. In the development of hybrids only the F₁ hybrid plants are sought. Preferred F₁ hybrids are more vigorous than their inbred parents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in many polygenic traits, including increased vegetative growth and increased yield.

The development of a hybrid corn variety involves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasm pools; (2) the selfing of the selected plants for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines, which, although different from each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with unrelated inbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). During the inbreeding process in corn, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two unrelated inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between any two inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give a superior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents is maintained.

A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the F₁ progeny. A double cross hybrid is produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F₁ hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁ hybrids is lost in the next generation (F₂). Consequently, seed from hybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.

Corn is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of plant breeders is to develop high-yielding corn hybrids that are agronomically sound based on stable inbred lines. The reasons for this goal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced with the inputs used and minimize susceptibility of the crop to environmental stresses. To accomplish this goal, the corn breeder must select and develop superior inbred parental lines for producing hybrids. This requires identification and selection of genetically unique individuals which in a segregating population occur as the result of a combination of crossover events plus the independent assortment of specific combinations of alleles at many gene loci which results in specific genotypes. Based on the number of segregating genes, the frequency of occurrence of an individual with a specific genotype is less than 1 in 10,000. Thus, even if the entire genotype of the parents has been characterized and the desired genotype is known, only a few if any individuals having the desired genotype may be found in a large F₂ or S₀ population. Typically, however, the genotype of neither the parents nor the desired genotype is known in any detail.

At Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a typical corn research station has a staff of four, and 20 acres of breeding nursery. Those researchers plant those 20 acres with 25,000 nursery rows, 15,000 yield test plots in 10-15 yield test sites, and one or two disease-screening nurseries. Employing a temporary crew of 20 to 30 pollinators, the station makes about 65,000 hand pollinations per growing season, and produces from three to ten new inbreds which are proposed for commercial use each year. Over the 32 Pioneer research stations in North America, this amounts to from about 100 to 300 new inbreds proposed each year from over 2,000,000 pollinations. Of those, less than 50 and more commonly less than 30 are actually selected for commercial use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred corn line, designated PHHV4. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbred corn line PHHV4, to the plants of inbred corn line PHHV4, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHHV4 with itself or another corn line. This invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHHV4 with another corn line.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are used herein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided. ABS is in absolute terms and % MN is percent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbred or hybrid was grown.

BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were not barren (lack ears).

BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near the time of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbred would snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Data are presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.

BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Actual yield of the grain at harvest in bushels per acre adjusted to 15.5% moisture.

DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plot and represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior to harvest.

EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to the highest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches.

EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher the rating the larger the ear size.

EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishment in the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on a per plot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heat units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method, where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU1##

The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimum temperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants with silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GRN APP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the general appearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factors as the color of the harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any cracked grain. High scores indicate good grain quality.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the grain at harvest.

PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant from the ground to the tip of the tassel in inches.

POL SC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount of pollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.

POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tassels collected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tassels harvested after shedding is complete.

It should be understood that the inbred can, through routine manipulation of cytoplasmic factors, be produced in a cytoplasmic male-sterile form which is otherwise phenotypically identical to the male-fertile form.

PRM=PREDICTED RM. This trait, predicted relative maturity (RM), is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relative maturity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standard linear regression analyses and is referred to as the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating System which is similar to the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System.

RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that do not root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount of scatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. The higher the score the less scatter grain.

SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amount of vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage (approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure of the hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A corn breeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selection index. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. The selection index data presented in the tables represent the mean value averaged across testing stations.

STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near the time of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high score indicates better late-season plant health.

STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plants per plot.

STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that break below the ear.

TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure the degree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at time of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting at time of flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting.

TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate the relative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger the tassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams) just prior to pollen shed.

TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate the relative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would be very soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or very smooth crown).

TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that could possibly shed pollen was taken. Data is given as percentage of tillers: number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants per plot.

TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grain in pounds for a given volume (bushel).

TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain in pounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for percent moisture.

YLD=YIELD. It is the same as BU ACR ABS.

YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relative rating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating the greater visual yield appearance.

MDM CPX=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus & MCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

SLF BLT=Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis, Helminthosporium maydis): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum, H. turcicum): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

COM RST=Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

STW WLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

HD SMT=Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana): Percentage of plants that did not have infection.

EAR MLD=General Ear Mold: Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant. This is based on overall rating for ear mold of mature ears without determining specific mold organism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold.

ECB DPE=Dropped ears due to European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis): Percentage of plants that did not drop ears under second brood corn borer infestation.

ECB 2SC=European Corn Borer Second Brood (Ostrinia nubilalis): Visual rating (1-9 score) of post flowering damage due to infestation by European Corn Borer. A "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

ECB 1LF=European Corn Borer First Brood (Ostrinia nubilalis): Visual rating (1-9 score) of pre-flowering leaf feeding by European Corn Borer. A "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inbred corn line PHHV4 is a yellow, dent corn inbred that is best suited as a female in crosses for producing first generation F1 corn hybrids. PHHV4 is best adapted to the North-Central part of the United States. The inbred can be used to produce hybrids from approximately 99-113 relative maturity based on the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System for harvest moisture of grain. PHHV4 has good per se yield, has good ear length, and is somewhat prolific. Unique characteristics of the plant include node joints (which are angular), leaves which are narrow and upright, husk length which is longer than average, kernel rows which are somewhat irregular, and it has a tendency to develop kernel red streak. The inbred is a good combiner in hybrid combinations.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence for all the traits as described in the Variety Description Information (Table 1) that follows. Most of the data in the Variety Description information was collected at Johnston, Iowa. The inbred has been self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number of generations with careful attention paid to uniformity of plant type to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The line has been increased both by hand and in isolated fields with continued observation for uniformity. No variant traits have been observed or are expected in PHHV4.

Inbred corn line PHHV4, being substantially homozygous, can be reproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting corn plants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions with adequate isolation, and harvesting the resulting seed, using techniques familiar to the agricultural arts.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                                INBRED = PHHV4                                                                 Type: Dent     Region Best Adapted: Northcentral                               ______________________________________                                         A. Maturity: Average across maturity zones. Zone: 0                            GDU Shed: 1390                                                                 GDU Silk: 1400                                                                 No. Reps: 69                                                                   B. Plant Characteristics:                                                      Plant height (to tassel tip): 208 cm                                           Length of top ear internode: 12 cm                                             Number of ears per stalk: Single                                               Ear height (to base of top ear): 64 cm                                         Number of tillers: None                                                        Cytoplasm type: Normal                                                         C. Leaf:                                                                       Color: Dark Green (B14)                                                        Angle from Stalk: 30-60 degrees                                                Marginal Waves: Few (WF9)                                                      Number of Leaves (mature plants): 16                                           Sheath Pubescence: Light (W22)                                                 Longitudinal Creases: Manu (PA11)                                              Length (Ear node leaf): 74 cm                                                  Width (widest point, ear node leaf): 9 cm                                      D. Tassel:                                                                     Number lateral branches: 4                                                     Branch Angle from central spike: 30-40 degrees                                 Pollen Shed: Light (WF9) based on Pollen Yield Test                            (48% of experiment means)                                                      Peduncle Length (top leaf to basal branches): 20 cm                            Anther Color: Yellow    Glume Color: Green                                     E. Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):                         Length: 16 cm                                                                  Weight: 121 gm                                                                 Mid-point Diameter: 40 mm                                                      Silk Color: Green                                                              Husk Extension (Harvest stage): Long (8-10 cm) (Barely                         covering ear)                                                                  Husk Leaf: Short (<8 cm)                                                       Taper of Ear: Slight                                                           Position of Shank (dry husks): Upright                                         Kernel Rows: Slightly Curved, Distinct   Number = 14                           Husk Color (fresh): Light Green                                                Husk Color (dry): Buff                                                         Shank Length: 10 cm                                                            Shank (No. of internodes): 8                                                   F. Kernel (Dried):                                                             Size (from ear mid-point)                                                      Length: 10 mm                                                                  Width:  8 mm                                                                   Thick:  5 mm                                                                   Shape Grade (% rounds): 40-60 (43% medium round based on                       Parent Test Data)                                                              Pericarp Color: Colorless                                                      Aleurone Color: Homozygous Yellow                                              Endosperm Color: Normal Starch                                                 Gm Wt/100 Seeds (unsized): 27 gm                                               G. Cob:                                                                        Diameter at mid-point: 22 mm                                                   Strength: Strong                                                               Color: Red                                                                     H. Diseases:                                                                   Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV = Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus                      and MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus): Intermediate                             N. Leaf Blight (E. turcicum): Susceptible                                      Common Rust (P. sorghi): Resistant                                             Gray Leaf Spot (C. zeae): Susceptible                                          Stewart's Wilt (E. stewartii): Susceptible                                     Goss's Wilt (C. nebraskense): Intermediate                                     Fusarium Ear Mold (F. moniliforme): Highly resistant                           I. Insects:                                                                    European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage (Pre-flowering):                             Susceptible                                                                    European Corn Borer-2 (Post-flowering): Susceptible                            The above descriptions are based on a scale of 1-9, 1 being                    highly susceptible, 9 being highly resistant.                                  S (Susceptible): Would generally represent a score of 1-3.                     I (Intermediate): Would generally represent a score of 4-5.                    R (Resistant): Would generally represent a score of 6-7.                       H (Highly Resistant): Would generally represent a score of                     8-9. Highly resistant does not imply the inbred is immune.                     J. Variety Most Closely Resembling:                                            Character Inbred                                                               Maturity  PHR61                                                                Usage     PHR61                                                                ______________________________________                                    

In interpreting the foregoing color designations, reference may be had to the Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard color reference.

PHR61 (PVP Certificate No. 9100100) is a Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred.

Data for Items B, C, D, E, F, and G is based primarily on a maximum of eight reps from Johnston, Iowa grown in 1990 and 1991, plus description information from the maintaining station.

ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS Isozyme Genotypes for PHHV4

Isozyme data were generated for inbred corn line PHHV4 according to the procedures described in Stuber, C. W., Wendel, J. F., Goodman, M. M., and Smith, J. S. C., "Techniques and Scoring Procedures for Starch Gel Electrophoresis of Enzymes from Maize (Zea mays L.)", Technical Bulletin No. 86, North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. (1988).

The data in Table 2 compares PHHV4 with its parents, PHG69 and PHM44.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS FOR PHHV4                                              AND ITS PARENTS PHG69 AND PHM44                                                                 PARENTS                                                       LOCI     PHHV4         PHG69   PHM44                                           ______________________________________                                         ACP1     2             2       2                                               ADH1     4             4       4                                               CAT3     9             9       9                                               DIA1     8             12      8                                               GOT1     4             4       4                                               GOT2     4             4       4                                               GOT3     4             4       4                                               IDH1     4             4       4                                               IDH2     4             4       6                                               MDH1     6             6       1                                               MDH2     3.5           3.5     3.5                                             MDH3     16            16      16                                              MDH4     12            12      12                                              MDH5     12            12      12                                              MMM      4             4       4                                               PGM1     9             9       9                                               PGM2     4             8       4                                               PGD1     2             2       3.8                                             PGD2     2.8           2.8     5                                               PHI1     4             4       4                                               ______________________________________                                    

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant wherein the first or second parent corn plant is an inbred corn plant from the line PHHV4. Further, both first and second parent corn plants can come from the inbred corn line PHHV4. Thus, any such methods using the inbred corn line PHHV4 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like. All plants produced using inbred corn line PHHV4 as a parent are within the scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred corn line is used in crosses with other, different, corn inbreds to produce first generation (F₁) corn hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics.

As used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which corn plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk and the like.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta, (1985) 165:322-332 reflects that 97% of the plants cultured which produced callus were capable of plant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybrids produced 91% regenerable callus which produced plants. In a further study in 1988, Songslad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988), 7:262-265 reports several media additions which enhance regenerability of callus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicated that "nontraditional" tissues are capable of producing somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesis from glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports, 6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissue cultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state of the art is such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were, "conventional" in the sense that they are routinely used and have a very high rate of success.

Tissue culture of corn is described in European Patent Application, publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Corn tissue culture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 367-372) and in Duncan, et al., "The Production of Callus Capable of Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea MaVs Geno-types," 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiation produce corn plants having the physiological and morphological characteristics of the inbred line PHHV4.

Corn is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material in industry. The food uses of corn, in addition to human consumption of corn kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries. The principal products of corn dry milling are grits, meal and flour. The corn wet-milling industry can provide corn starch, corn syrups, and dextrose for food use. Corn oil is recovered from corn germ, which is a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Corn, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is also used extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of corn are mainly from corn starch in the wet-milling industry and corn flour in the dry-milling industry. The industrial applications of corn starch and flour are based on functional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesive properties, and ability to suspend particles. The corn starch and flour have application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrial uses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundry binders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other mining applications.

Plant parts other than the grain of corn are also used in industry. Stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs are used for fuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of inbred corn line PHHV4, the plant produced from the inbred seed, the hybrid corn plant produced from the crossing of the inbred, hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid corn plant can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

EXAMPLE 1 Inbred and Hybrid Performance of PHHV4

In the examples that follow, the traits and characteristics of inbred corn line PHHV4 are given as a line and in hybrid combination. The data collected on inbred corn line PHHV4 is presented for the key characteristics and traits.

The results in Table 3A compare PHHV4 to its PHG69 parent. PHHV4 has higher yield and grain harvest moisture and lower test weight compared to PHG69. PHHV4 is taller with higher ear placement and sheds (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) later than PHG69. PHHV4 has better seedling vigor and a higher early stand count than PHG69. PHHV4 has better resistance to stalk and root lodging than PHG69. PHHV4 is slightly more resistant to first brood European corn borer but is more susceptible to second brood European corn borer than PHG69.

Table 3B compares PHHV4 to its other parent, PHM44. PHHV4 has higher yield and test weight, but lower grain harvest moisture than PHM44. PHHV4 is a taller inbred with higher ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than PHM44. PHHV4 has poorer stay green and is more susceptible to stalk and root lodging than PHM44.

Tables 3C through 3E compare PHHV4 with other Pioneer Proprietary inbreds with similar genetic backgrounds, similar usage and proven performance in the area Where PHHV4 is adapted.

The results in Table 3C show PHHV4 is higher yielding, but has lower grain harvest moisture and test weight than PHR61. PHHV4 has a bigger ear size and fewer barren plants than PHR61. PHHV4 is shorter with lower ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than PHR61. PHHV4 has better seedling vigor and similar early stand count compared to PHR61. PHHV4 has poorer grain appearance and stay green, is more susceptible to stalk lodging, and has better root lodging resistance than PHR61. PHHV4 has better resistance to common rust, but is more susceptible to ear mold, Northern leaf blight, and first and second brood European corn borer than PHR61.

Table 3D compares PHHV4 to B47. PHHV4 has higher yield, grain harvest moisture, and test weight than B47. PHHV4 is a shorter inbred with similar ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than B47. PHHV4 has a smaller tassel compared to B47. PHHV4 is more susceptible to stalk lodging, but has better resistance to root lodging than B47.

The results in Table 3E show PHHV4 has a better yield score than PHN29. PHHV4 is a shorter inbred with lower ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than PHN29. PHHV4 has a lower pollen score and smaller tassel compared to PHN29. PHHV4 has better root lodging resistance than PHN29. PHHV4 has better resistance to common rust and ear mold, but is more susceptible to Northern leaf blight and first and second brood European corn borer.

The results in Table 4A compare PHHV4 to PHN66 crossed to the same inbred testers. In this comparison, the PHHV4 hybrids have higher yield and test weight and similar grain harvest moisture compared to the PHN66 hybrids. The PHHV4 hybrids shed (GDU Shed) later than the PHN66 hybrids. The PHHV4 hybrids are less resistant to stalk lodging, but have similar resistance to root lodging compared to the PHN66 hybrids. The PHHV4 hybrids have poorer stay green, but better grain appearance and seedling vigor than the PHN66 hybrids. The PHHV4 and PHN66 hybrids have similar plant height, but the PHHV4 hybrids have lower ear placement. The PHHV4 hybrids have fewer brittle stalks than the PHN66 hybrids.

                                      TABLE 3A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHHV4                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHG69                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU     BAR                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                                               SDG EST                                                                               TIL                                             VAR ACR ACR MST                                                                               PLT                                                                               HT HT VGR CNT                                                                               LER                                     DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                     __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   76.6                                                                               153 20.8                                                                              93.4                                                                              80.8                                                                              25.8                                                                              5.3 47.2                                                                              0.4                                             2   46.9                                                                               91  18.2                                                                              90.7                                                                              77.8                                                                              24.3                                                                              4.1 45.5                                                                              1.1                                             LOCS                                                                               3   3   3  3  2  2  3   3  3                                               REPS                                                                               12  12  12 11 7  8  8   12 7                                               DIFF                                                                               29.7                                                                               62  2.5                                                                               2.7                                                                               3.0                                                                               1.5                                                                               1.2 1.7                                                                               0.7                                             PROB                                                                               005#.                                                                              042+.                                                                              111                                                                               .288                                                                              .442                                                                              .374                                                                              .092*                                                                              .421                                                                              .659                                    __________________________________________________________________________                    GDU GDU TST STA STK RT  ECB                                                VAR SHD SLK WT  GRN LDG LDG 2SC                                     DEPT       #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                     __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM  1   1425                                                                               1440                                                                               57.9                                                                               3.5 93.6                                                                               79.2                                                                               1.5                                                2   1403                                                                               1410                                                                               59.1                                                                               2.2 91.5                                                                               53.3                                                                               1.0                                                LOCS                                                                               1   1   3   3   2   2   1                                                  REPS                                                                               3   3   12  9   6   8   2                                                  DIFF                                                                               22  30  1.2 1.3 2.1 25.9                                                                               0.5                                                PROB        .013+                                                                              .443                                                                               .886                                                                               .302                                        __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 3B                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHHV4                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHM44                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU      BAR                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                                               SDG EST                                                                               TIL                                            VAR ACR ACR MST PLT                                                                               HT HT VGR CNT                                                                               LER                                    DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                    __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   76.6                                                                               153 20.8                                                                               93.4                                                                              80.8                                                                              25.8                                                                              5.3 47.2                                                                              0.4                                            2   50.0                                                                               101 25.8                                                                               89.3                                                                              72.5                                                                              24.8                                                                              5.7 47.8                                                                              0.8                                            LOCS                                                                               3   3   3   3  2  2  3   3  3                                              REPS                                                                               6   6   6   6  4  4  6   6  6                                              DIFF                                                                               6   52  5.1 4.1                                                                               8.3                                                                               1.0                                                                               0.3 0.7                                                                               0.4                                            PROB                                                                               .021+                                                                              .001#                                                                              .013+                                                                              .712                                                                              .239                                                                              .295                                                                              .423                                                                               .686                                                                              .671                                   __________________________________________________________________________                     GDU GDU TST STA STK RT  ECB                                                VAR SHD SLK WT  GRN LDG LDG 2SC                                    DEPT        #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                    __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM   1   1425                                                                               1440                                                                               57.9                                                                               3.5 93.6                                                                               79.2                                                                               1.5                                                2   1520                                                                               1610                                                                               54.8                                                                               6.2 97.0                                                                               98.8                                                                               4.0                                                LOCS                                                                               1   1   3   3   2   2   1                                                  REPS                                                                               2   2   6   6   4   4   2                                                  DIFF                                                                               95  170 3.1 2.7 3.5 19.6                                                                               2.5                                                PROB        .008#                                                                              .057*                                                                              .662                                                                               .537                                       __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 3C                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHHV4                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHR61                                                             __________________________________________________________________________              BU  BU  YLD    EAR BAR PLT EAR                                                                               SDG EST                                                                               DRP                                                                               TIL                                                                               GDU GDU POL                     VAR ACR ACR SC MST SZ  PLT HT  HT VGR CNT                                                                               EAR                                                                               LER                                                                               SHD SLK SC                 DEPT #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                               ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS ABS                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL                                                                               1   93.1                                                                               122 5.3                                                                               19.9                                                                               6.3 96.2                                                                               76.7                                                                               28.1                                                                              6.0 34.8                                                                              99.6                                                                              1.5                                                                               1390                                                                               1397                                                                               3.8                SUM  2   68.6                                                                               90  4.5                                                                               20.9                                                                               5.4 87.7                                                                               81.0                                                                               29.1                                                                              5.2 34.7                                                                              99.9                                                                              2.2                                                                               1473                                                                               1491                                                                               3.7                     LOCS                                                                               12  12  15 14  7   24  26  26 39  66 8  27 58  54  13                      REPS                                                                               26  26  15 28  7   29  40  40 44  130                                                                               16 33 73  64  13                      DIFF                                                                               24.5                                                                               32  0.7                                                                               1.0 0.9 8.5 4.3 1.0                                                                               0.8 0.1                                                                               0.3                                                                               0.7                                                                               83  94  0.2                     PROB                                                                               .004#                                                                              .003#                                                                              .143                                                                              .018+                                                                              .045+                                                                              .016+                                                                              .003#                                                                              .332                                                                              .000#                                                                              .790                                                                              .452                                                                              .553                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .711               __________________________________________________________________________                                    TAS TEK TST GRN SCT STA STK RT                                             VAR SZ  EAR WT  APP GRN GRN LDG LDG                                       DEPT #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                 __________________________________________________________________________                           TOTAL                                                                               1   2.8 6.2 57.7                                                                               5.4 6.4 2.3 88.5                                                                               98.6                                      SUM  2   2.0 8.0 60.1                                                                               6.9 6.3 5.9 98.0                                                                               77.7                                           LOCS                                                                               20  6   12  7   13  15  10  5                                              REPS                                                                               20  6   26  14  13  19  20  8                                              DIFF                                                                               0.9 1.8 2.4 1.6 0.1 3.7 9.5 20.9                                           PROB                                                                               .001#                                                                              .012+                                                                              .000#                                                                              .042+                                                                              .893                                                                               .000#                                                                              .003#                                                                              .166                __________________________________________________________________________                                         BRT                                                                               COM EAR NLF STW ECB ECB                                                 VAR STK                                                                               RST WLT BLT WLT 1LF 2SC                                            DEPT #   ABS                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                 __________________________________________________________________________                                TOTAL                                                                               1   86.7                                                                              6.8 7.3 3.4 1.0 2.9 2.1                                            SUM  2   100.0                                                                             5.3 8.0 6.3 1.7 3.5 4.6                                                 LOCS                                                                               1  4   12  8   3   30  14                                                  REPS                                                                               1  4   12  8   3   30  19                                                  DIFF                                                                               13.3                                                                              1.5 0.8 2.9 0.7 0.6 2.5                                                 PROB   .014+                                                                              .108                                                                               .001#                                                                              .423                                                                               .006#                                                                              .000#               __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3D                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHHV4                                                             VARIETY #2 - B47                                                               __________________________________________________________________________                 BU BU  YLD    EAR                                                                               BAR                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                                               SDG EST                                                                               TIL                                                                               GDU GDU                                VAR ACR                                                                               ACR SC MST SZ PLT                                                                               HT HT VGR CNT                                                                               LER                                                                               SHD SLK                        DEPT    #   ABS                                                                               % MN                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   76.6                                                                              153 6.0                                                                               20.8                                                                               5.0                                                                               93.4                                                                              82.8                                                                              26.6                                                                              5.6 29.3                                                                              0.3                                                                               1378                                                                               1374                               2   71.8                                                                              143 7.0                                                                               18.9                                                                               5.0                                                                               89.1                                                                              86.4                                                                              26.5                                                                              5.3 29.1                                                                              0.2                                                                               1405                                                                               1407                               LOCS                                                                               3  3   1  3   1  3  4  4  5   16 4  7   7                                  REPS                                                                               12 12  1  11  1  11 16 15 12  73 8  16  16                                 DIFF                                                                               4.8                                                                               10  1.0                                                                               1.9 0.0                                                                               4.2                                                                               3.6                                                                               0.1                                                                               0.3 0.2                                                                               0.1                                                                               27  33                                 PROB                                                                               .230                                                                              .190   .044+  .249                                                                              .151                                                                              .960                                                                              .374                                                                               .765                                                                              .797                                                                              .052*                                                                              .100                       __________________________________________________________________________                      TAS TEX                                                                               TST                                                                               SCT STA STK RT  EAR NLF                                                                               ECB                                                                                ECB                                   VAR SZ  EAR                                                                               WT GRN GRN LDG LDG MLD BLT                                                                               1LF                                                                               2SC                       DEPT         #   ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM    1   4.3 8.0                                                                               57.9                                                                              7.5 3.4 93.6                                                                               86.1                                                                               9.0 2.0                                                                               3.7                                                                               1.5                                    2   5.3 8.0                                                                               57.4                                                                              8.5 5.7 96.2                                                                               44.1                                                                               8.0 6.0                                                                               4.0                                                                               3.5                                    LOCS                                                                               4   1  3  2   4   2   3   2   1  3  1                                      REPS                                                                               4   1  12 2   11  7   9   2   1  3  2                                      DIFF                                                                               1.0 0.0                                                                               0.5                                                                               1.0 2.3 2.6 42.0                                                                               1.0 4.0                                                                               0.3                                                                               2.0                                    PROB                                                                               .092*  .323                                                                              .000#                                                                              .014+                                                                              .688                                                                               .055*                                                                              .500   .423                         __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 3E                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHHV4                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHN29                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 YLD                                                                               EAR                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                                               ADG EST TIL GDU GDU POL TAS                                    VAR SC SZ HT HT VGR CNT LER SHD SLK SC  SZ                             DEPT    #   ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                            __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   5.7                                                                               5.5                                                                               78.3                                                                              25.1                                                                              6.1 27.5                                                                               1.6 1339                                                                               1349                                                                               4.8 3.7                                    2   5.0                                                                               6.0                                                                               83.3                                                                              27.0                                                                              4.2 25.6                                                                               8.9 1352                                                                               1426                                                                               6.0 6.3                                    LOCS                                                                               3  2  6  5  9   19  6   15  14  4   6                                      REPS                                                                               3  2  13 12 9   68  6   22  21  4   6                                      DIFF                                                                               0.7                                                                               0.5                                                                               5.0                                                                               1.8                                                                               1.9 2.0 7.2 12  77  1.3 2.7                                    PROB                                                                               .635                                                                              .500                                                                              .115                                                                              .617                                                                              .005#                                                                              .009#                                                                              .082*                                                                              .241                                                                               .000#                                                                              .015+                                                                              .005#                          __________________________________________________________________________                      TEX SCT STA RT  COM EAR NLF ECB                                                                               ECB                                         VAR EAR GRN GRN LDG RST MLD BLT 1LF                                                                               2SC                            DEPT         #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                                                                               ABS                            __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM    1   7.0 7.3 3.0 100.0                                                                              8.0 8.2 2.0 3.9                                                                               2.0                                         2   4.7 4.7 4.0 78.3                                                                               5.0 7.5 3.0 4.1                                                                               1.0                                         LOCS                                                                               3   3   1   1   1   6   2   8  2                                           REPS                                                                               3   3   1   1   1   6   2   8  2                                           DIFF                                                                               2.3 2.7 1.0 21.7                                                                               3.0 0.7 1.0 0.3                                                                               1.0                                         PROB                                                                               .020+                                                                              .015+           .465                                                                               .000#                                                                              .451                                                                              .000#                          __________________________________________________________________________      * = 10% SIG                                                                    + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 4A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     AVERAGE INBRED BY TESTER PERFORMANCE COMPARING PHHVR TO PHN66                  CROSSED TO THE SAME INBRED TESTERS AND GROWN IN THE SAME EXPERIMENTS.          ALL VALUES ARE EXPRESSED AS PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENT MEAN EXCEPT              PREDICTED RM, SELECTION INDEX, AND YIELD (BU/ACR).                             __________________________________________________________________________                      SEL                                                                               BU       GDU PRM STK RT  STA                                      INBRED                                                                               PRM IND                                                                               ACR                                                                               YLD                                                                               MST                                                                               SHD SHD LDG LDG GRN                               __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL  REPLIC.                                                                              82  81 82 82 82 24  8   82  40  27                                MEAN WTS                                                                              PHHV4 101 104                                                                               142                                                                               102                                                                               96 102 103 99  99  58                                MEAN WTS                                                                              PHN66 101 102                                                                               139                                                                               99 96 100 102 102 99  83                                       DIFF.     2  3  3  0  2   1   2   1   25                                __________________________________________________________________________                        TST GRN SDG EST                                                                               STK                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                                               DRP                                                                               BRT                                           INBRED                                                                               WTA APP VGR CNT                                                                               CNT                                                                               HT HT EAR                                                                               STK                              __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL        REPLIC.                                                                              82  44  21  40 85 30 30 78 4                                MEAN WTS     PHHV4 102 108 99  99 101                                                                               103                                                                               102                                                                               100                                                                               108                              MEAN WTS     PHN66 100 105 95  100                                                                               100                                                                               103                                                                               108                                                                               100                                                                               89                                            DIFF. 2   4   4   1  0  0  6  0  20                               __________________________________________________________________________

Deposits

Applicants have made available to the public without restriction a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of inbred PHHV4 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852 USA, ATCC Deposit No. 75611. The seeds deposited with the ATCC are taken from the same deposit maintained by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., 700 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 since prior to the filing date of this application. This deposit of the Inbred Corn Line PHHV4 will be maintained without restriction in the ATCC depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Inbred corn seed designated PHHV4 and having ATCC Accession No.
 75611. 2. A corn plant produced by the seed of claim
 1. 3. A corn plant having all physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of claim
 2. 4. A corn plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant of claim 2, further having cytoplasmic factors conferring male sterility.
 5. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of a plant according to claim 2 wherein the tissue regenerates plants having all morphological and physiological characteristics of PHHV4.
 6. Tissue culture of a plant according to claim 5, the tissue culture selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silk, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, husks, stalks, cells and protoplasts thereof.
 7. A corn plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 5 said plant possessing all morphological and physiological characteristics of inbred PHT47.
 8. An F₁ hybrid seed and plant grown therefrom produced by crossing an inbred corn plant according to claim 2 with another, different corn plant and having a genotype one half of which is the genotype of the inbred corn plant of claim
 2. 